To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment

You can help your doctor diagnose and treat your condition by being prepared to answer the following questions:

• What are your main symptoms?
• How long have you had your symptoms?
• What were you doing when your symptoms started?
• Have you had this problem in the past?
  • What was the diagnosis?
  • How was it treated?
• How and when did an injury occur? How was it treated? Were illegal drugs or alcohol involved in your injury?
• Have you had any injuries in the past to the same area? Do you have any continuing problems because of the previous injury?
• Have you ever had knee surgery?
• What activities, related to sports, work, or your lifestyle, make your symptoms better or worse?
• Do you think that activities related to your job or hobbies caused your symptoms?
• What home treatment measures have you tried? Did they help?
• What nonprescription medicines have you taken? Did they help?
• Do you have any health risks?